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Best Tankless Water Heater Reviews

Best Tankless Water Heater Reviews will help you determine what type of tankless water heater is the best fit in your area of the country. Once the type of unit is determined, we will help you pick the best model.

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What is a tankless water heater?

A tankless water heater is a water heater that provides hot water only when needed. It does not use a storage tank to heat water 24 hours a day. This on demand heating is accomplished by using a heating element to heat the water immediately as it passes through the unit.

A “point of use” water heater is a small tankless heater and is an alternative to a centrally located tankless water heater. This point of use, a.k.a. on demand water heater, is located near a sink, shower or bath. Without the need for a storage tank, the water heater is small enough to fit under the sink or inside a linen closet. Point of use water heaters are a great choice for single bathrooms located far from a conventional storage tank heater. If needed, several point of use units can be used in multiple locations throughout a home.

As previously mentioned, there are also larger, whole house tankless water heater models which are centrally located and provide hot water usage for the entire home.

General Information

How Do These Models Work?

On demand water heaters have flow sensors which activate as water enters into the unit once the hot water tap is turned on. As water enters into the unit, it crosses a hot coil exchanger that is warmed by gas or electricity resulting in a continuous supply of hot water. No hot water storage tank is necessary.

What Are the Benefits?

Decreased energy demand resulting in lowered yearly cost – it produces hot water only when you need it, rather than heating water at 3am while people are sleeping.

Very little water waste- no more wasting gallons of water while waiting for the shower or sink to heat up.

Tax credit/rebates are available

How Long Do They Last?

The life expectancy of most top rated tankless water heaters is more than 20 years, plus you can get away with extending their life by easily replacing parts. Additionally, most companies offer a warranty to back their product.

Do You Get a Tax Rebate / Credit?

Point of use water heaters must have a minimum energy factor of 0.82 or minimum thermal efficiency of 0.90 to qualify for a $300 US Federal Tax Credit. The unit needs to be installed in a primary residence owned by the taxpayer. Use IRS Form 5695 when filing your taxes but they recommend you consult with a tax professional to confirm all requirements are met.

Find the BEST of the BEST Tankless Water Heater Brand.

Look below to get a quick look at the Best Tankless Water Heaters being reviewed:

Electric Tankless Water Heater Reviews

Ecosmart ECO27

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Steibel Eltron Tempra Plus

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Rheem RTEX13

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Tankless Gas Water Heater Reviews

Navien NPE240A

Rheem RTG95DVLN

Noritz 981

Takagi T-H3-DVN

Rinnai RUC94iN

What Size Tankless Water Heater Do I Need?

Tankless water heaters use the term GPM the average flow rate in gallons per minute. The GPM is used to estimate hot water usage, so it may be helpful for you to know some average figures of estimated water demand in your home before making a purchase. One of the best ways to determine the right size tankless water heater that will be needed is by shower usage. The average shower lasts eight minutes and uses between 24 to 30 gallons of water. The average temperature most people prefer is 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the shower usage is determined, you will need to figure if simultaneous showers are likely. Then take into consideration the following estimates:

Shower – 4 GPM

Washing machine – 3.3 GPM

Kitchen and bathroom sink – 2.2 GPM

Dishwasher – 1.3 GPM

Next, determine the average ground temperature of your incoming water during the colder months. Subtract this number from the maximum water temperature of the tankless water heater you are considering to establish your specific need.

The following will give tankless hot water heater reviews & a summary of information about the leading tankless water heater brands on the market.

The ecosmart tankless water heater ECO 27 is one of Ecosmart’s top tankless water heaters model. With it’s self-modulating technology it will adjust its energy usage to how much water is needed resulting in up to 50% saving on water heating costs. ECO 27 has both copper and stainless components which provide energy efficiency, durability and are easily replaced. This compact model is energy efficient and stylish and will save valuable storage space.

Steibel Eltron tankless water heating technology has produced one of the best rated tankless water heater models. The powerful Tempra Plus whole house electric tankless water heater has Advanced Flow Control enabling it to maintain a steady temperature even if flow rates vary. Unlike other manufacturers that will deliver colder water when pressure increases, the Tempra Plus uses the power of smart microprocessor technology to automatically reduce the flow of water slightly but at the correct temperature. A copper heating element and electric conductor is used to reach a max temp of 109 degrees Fahrenheit. There is no need for a vent which makes installation cheaper. Steibel Eltron may have created the best tankless hot water heater.

For simple breakdown click Electric Tankless Water Heater Reviews on left

Rheem Tankless Water Heater Reviews

The Rheem RTEX13 tankless is one of our top rated electric water heaters. Its external controls allow you to adjust the temperature by 1°F reaching up to 6 GPM for the whole house. This stylish model is efficient and easy to install and is rating four stars for best pricethe company has to offer.

The Navien tankless water heater NPE 240A is a whole house unit. It is a ultra condensing tankless water heater which uses a dual stainless steel heat exchanger with comfort flow technology to regulate the temperature. This Navien NPE unit utilizes your existing 1/2 inch gas line and uses 2” PVC venting. It also has easy field gas convertibility from NG to LP operation. The 11.2 gallons per minute gpm is a high flow rate that can easily accommodate two showers.

Additionally, this is the first unit that incorporates ComfortFlow, an internal circulation with buffer tank that can eliminate the “cold water sandwich” effect.

The Rheem has three series of tankless water heaters: the prestige series, the classic series, and their mid-efficiency series. RTG-64XLP is a liquid propane outdoor tankless water heater that is in their mid-efficiency series. It produces the flow rate of 6.8 GPM at a 35° Fahrenheit maximum rise and 5.3 GPM at a 45° Fahrenheit max rise. Since this unit uses gas and is kept outdoors, it is not well suited for cold climates. The 0.82 EF unit has an all copper heat exchanger with an overheat film wrap (OFW) to protect the heat exchanger. This one also comes with a digital remote control, a 10 ft. thermostat wire, and a manual gas isolation valve. Even though the RTG-64XLN is the heater recommended, the Rheem RTE model is one you may also want to take a look at.

The NRC661-DV-NG has a flow rate capacity up to 6.6 GPM. It can be wall-mounted indoors or outdoors (which would not require ventilation if outdoors). The Direct Vent model can be converted to a non-direct vent model by using a Conversion kit (#SV-CK-3). This model has an energy factor or 0.91 (NG) or 0.93 (LP) and is fully condensing, 93% efficient for use with natural gas or propane.

The NR981-SV-LP model has a flow rate up to 9.8 GPM. With the installation, you have the option to mount indoors or outdoors. Its steel casing with polymer coating and commercial grade copper heating exchange makes this model extremely durable with great performance. This heater has an energy factor of 0.82 (NG) and 0.88 (LP) and is 84% efficient for use with natural gas or propane.

Takagi water heaters are units you have to vent outside your home. This 110v tankless water heater is also in the best picks for tankless gas water heater reviews. For people who live in warmer regions, the gas model itself may be the right option for you. Buyers may also want to consider, for best pricethis small model the Takagi TKJR2 in NG.

In our rinnai water heater review, the R75LSi was determined to be the best of their models on the market. The Rinnai R75LSi delivers a high flow rate up to 7.5 GPM which is ideal for up to two or three bathrooms home and has the convenience of both concentric and PVC/CPVC venting in the same model. By using the appropriate fittings, buyers can choose to vent through the wall or roof. Rinnai’s ThermaCirc360 uses thermal bypass technology, an internal bypass line with a thermal bypass valve. The ThermaCirc360 helps create immediate hot water availability even in the coldest climates.